War of the Heart

Summary:
Lieutenant General Charlie Swan moves his family to Forks while he and his sons our deployed to Iraq. Can the Cullens & the Hales help Bella survive while her whole family is on tour overseas? What happens when the only family member she can rely on runs away? Or when a brother is injured in a road side explosion?
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Notes:Everything belongs to the one and only Stephanie Meyer.

9. Notorious Villian

Jasper was discharged from the hospital a couple days after the incident. In the following days, both Jasper and Rosalie decided that they’ve been keeping secrets for far too long, so they both sat down and talked to the Cullen’s about the situation with their mother’s health and how it had been deteriorating over the past few months which had led to the her confrontation with Jasper.

As I expected, none of the Cullen’s ever judged or reprimanded the Hale’s for not airing their family’s ‘dirty laundry’, they simply told Jasper and Rosalie that they understood where they were coming from, and that they would be there for them if they ever needed anything. Both Jazz and Rose were overwhelmed with the amount of love and concern the Cullen’s felt for them, but they were greatly appreciative for all the support that they’ve been given.

It had been two weeks since Jasper had agreed to move in with me and my family. In the following days, after having the conversation in the hospital with him, I had somehow managed to briefly track down my father on a secluded base on the outskirts of Baghdad. He had wholeheartedly agreed with my decision to invite Jasper into our home. He was proud that he managed to raise a daughter who cared and looked after the ones she loved. He promised to send word to my brothers so that they wouldn’t give me too hard of a time with having a gentlemen guest living with us when they returned home, for that I was truly grateful.

In the following two weeks, Jasper and Alice’s relationship had become stronger; Alice was happy that Jasper was finally trusting her and sharing details about his mother. She was slowly helping him heal by listening and being there for him when he needed her, they were truly the perfect couple, and they completed each other.

Chuck and Rosalie have been growing apart ever since the night he had called at the hospital. Rosalie was hurt that he hadn’t bothered to check in or even so much as call her over the past two weeks. The only time she ever got a chance to talk to him was when she made the effort to call him, other than that, he was scarcely ever heard from.

Emmett, on the other hand, wasn’t wasting any time; he took Chuck’s absence as his opportunity to romance Rosalie. So far he was starting off slow by just doing simple things like carrying her books and driving her to school, but unlike Chuck, he was there and was supporting her, and she was really appreciative for Emmett being there to fill the void of her absent boyfriend.

*******

“Good morning darling, whatcha making that smells so good?” Jasper asked as he entered the kitchen and sat down at the table, still dressed in his slept-in pyjamas. Jasper was the perfect houseguest; so far we’ve lived together with no complications, and it was wonderful to have another pair of hands to help out with the housework.

“Morning, today I felt adventurous, so I decided to make southern fried omelettes with avocado. Hope you’re hungry.” I said as served him his omelette and poured him a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice; it was nice to have someone to cook for again.

“So Jazz, Got any special plans for this beautiful Saturday morning?” I asked as I grabbed my breakfast and took a seat at the table across from him.

“Well, I'm supposed to help Alice finalize her plans for her annual Halloween party, so that should be interesting, I guess. How about you? You up to anything special today, perhaps with a certain bronze-haired boy I might know?” he asked as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at me.

“Subtle.” I commented as I gave him a playful push. “And yes, I may have certain plans with said boy to look at costumes for the party, but before you get any ideas, we’ve agreed to go together as friends.”

“I don't know why you guys insist on pretending your just friends; I mean it so obvious that you’ve both got it bad for each other, God! Even Emmett has noticed, and that says something!” he said as he threw his hands in the air for emphasis.

“We’ve gone over this before Jazz; I'm not in that place right now. Once I get my ducks in a row, then maybe we’ll see, but for now I'm comfortable with the way things are. I'm very lucky to have someone like Edward in my life, his friendship has been a blessing over the past few months and he’s a welcomed distraction from the things that are going on. But I'm not ready to put myself out there like that right yet, so for now I'm playing it safe.”

“Just keep telling yourself that Bells, it only a matter of time... you’ll see” he laughed while getting up to take his dirty dishes to the dishwasher, and cleaning off the table.

“Whatever Jazz,” I said rolling my eyes. “Anyway I'm heading upstairs to get ready, if Edward comes let him in okay?”

“Will do,” I heard him reply as I made my way up the stairs.

*******

I went upstairs to my bathroom and decided to take a quick shower, seeing as how it was already 9:45, and Edward was supposed to pick me up at 10:00. After I was towelled off and had run the blow drier through my hair, I headed to my closet to find an appropriate outfit for a day of shopping with Edward. I ended up deciding on a long-sleeved fitted purple dress that came just above my knees, matched with a pair of leggings and my new brown boots that Alice insisted I buy on our last shopping trip.

My outfit turned out to be rather cute, but more importantly it was nice and warm, perfect for this brisk cold fall morning. By the time I was ready to go, it was just a little after ten, so I grabbed my coat and bag and made my way downstairs.

*******

When I entered the living room, I found Edward and Jasper enthralled in Jasper’s newest video game; neither of them even noticed me enter the room so I cleared my throat to gain their attention.

“You ready to go Edward?” I asked.

“Definitely Bells, I’ll just have to beat Jasper later.” He said as he hopped off the couch and gave Jasper a playful punch.

“In your dreams, pretty boy! Now go before you piss off your girlfriend.” He laughed as he gave me a suggestive wink.

“Jasper” I warned as I followed Edward out the door. God that boy was relentless! For some damn reason everyone was obsessed with Edward and I becoming a couple. They really needed to lay off a bit.

*******

The whole trip to Port Angeles was spent with me and Edward discussing our different interests in music. For the most part we shared a lot of favourites. Edward had a broad taste in music, but some of his favourites where the oldies and the classics, for me I had a special place in my heart for country and pop. Edward kept joking that I had too much of a mainstream taste, but I couldn't help it, I liked what I liked.

When we got to Port Angeles, we decided to start at the local mall, seeing as how they had a seasonal shop open that specialized in Halloween costumes.

“So Edward, an ideas what you think we should go as?” I asked as I started searching through the costumes. For a small shop, they had quite a variety of costumes.

“I'm not sure. Why don't we go as a famous couple or something? You know like Fred and Wilma or Bert and Ernie?” he asked. I have to admit, going to the party with Edward did have its advantages. Everyone else was pretty much going as couples, so this way neither of us would be left out, and having Edward there might just be enough to help deter any of Mike’s advances at the party. So it would definitely be killing two birds with one stone.

“Okay” I agreed, “but I refuse to go as Bert and Ernie.”

“Fair enough love, what would you like to go as then?” he asked as he leaned in to wrap his arm around my waist.

“Umm... I'm not sure, let’s look and see if we can get any ideas.” I said as I hesitantly hopped out of his embrace and continued to search through the stacks of clothing.

The store had pretty much every costume you could think of. There were Cinderella’s, Playboy Bunnies, Cowboy’s, Fairies, Vampires, Mummies... and the list just keeps going on and on. Edward and I must have spent an hour looking through costumes, but nothing was jumping out on us. Although Edward somehow got In his head that it would be a good idea for him to go as a surgeon and for me to be his slutty nurse, but I vetoed that idea right away.

We were pretty much getting ready to give up, when the perfect costume jumped out at me.

“Oh my God Edward, this is it! I have the perfect costume idea for us.” I said hopping up and down with my excitement. Edward watched me with wide eyes like I was crazy; I guess Alice’s has finally succeeded in corrupting my personality. Crap!

“Okay, before I tell you, you have to promise to be keep an open mind to my idea.” I said, giving Edward the saddest puppy dog eyes I could muster.

“Bella, just tell me.” He said with a sigh. I guess I had him nervous.

“Why don't we go as Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.” I said revealing the gorgeous red-silk cape that I had hidden behind my back. “What do you think?”

“Actually, that’s not a bad idea” he laughed. “Just as long as you don't decide to dress me in a full out wolf body suit.”

“No, I was thinking more of X Men’s Wolverine. I mean with your sex hair, you’ll look hot!” I laughed as I messed around with his gorgeous locks. “Also, don't shave for a couple days before the party; I want you to look rough and manly” I added with a wink.

He just stood there stunned and open jawed. I don't think he expected me to be so blunt and flirtatious. For a second I thought I could faintly make out a light blush on his cheeks. I just laughed and took his hand and lead him to the checkout were I purchased my red cape. Now we just needed to find the rest of our costumes.

*******

We decided to head to Walmart, seeing as how we could find the clothes we need, and I could pick up some Halloween themed cards to send to my dad and brothers, seeing as how they won’t be home to celebrate this year.

Edward pushed the cart, as I looked through the clothes. I decided on a white wife-beater and a pair of loose faded jeans for Edward’s costume, and a pair of tight red short shorts with a sexy red-corset top for mine.

After we were done picking out our costumes. We started to make our way over to the card section. I always like to make sure to send cards to the brothers, especially around the holidays. It was just a special reminder that I'm missing them, even though I know they’ll be home soon. It was actually just another month in a half until my oldest brother, Tory, came home. I was really excited to be able to have him home for Christmas. And if all went well, then my dad might be able to return home for a week over the Christmas break as well, it would be nice to have half my family home with me, but I'm still going to miss Austin, Ryan and Jack. Although Jack really has no reason not to show up, seeing as how he’s traveling around the states, but he’s being a real Jack-Ass and hasn’t bothered to contact me, or anyone else since his graduation.

I was busy looking through the musical Halloween cards, when I noticed a guy making out with a red haired woman in the corner. He had her pined against the wall, and she had her legs wrapped around his waist as she ran her hands through his hair. His hands were roaming underneath her shirt as he continued to shove his tongue down her throat.

“God, some people have no public discretion.” I commented as I pointed out the couple to Edward.

“Bella... Do you have any idea who that is?” he asked in an angry and disgusted tone.

“No... Should I?” I asked looking back to see if I indeed did recognize the couple that were still going at it.